Juventus' Andrea Pirlo to sign for New York City FC over Sydney FC - sources

New York City FC are in pole position to sign Andrea Pirlo with the Juventus star set to choose the MLS side over Sydney FC, sources have told ESPN FC.

Pirlo, 36, who was in tears after Juventus' Champions League final defeat to Barcelona on Saturday, has been offered a deal by NYCFC to continue his career in America after 20 years in Italy.

NYCFC could face competition for Pirlo's signature with Sydney FC also making an approach for the veteran midfielder as they hope to lure him to Australia's A-League.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday that representatives of the Juventus star are planning to meet with clubs including Sydney FC over a proposed move next season.

Pirlo joined Juve from AC Milan in 2011 and has since helped the Turin club dominate Italian football, winning four successive Serie A titles.

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted he was unsure of Pirlo's future in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat to Barcelona saying: "As far as Pirlo is concerned, I can't give you an answer I'm afraid."

However, it seems Pirlo will leave Turin this summer to begin a new adventure abroad, and his signing would be a major coup for NYCFC and MLS if they can secure his signature ahead of other clubs.

The move would see the Italian playmaker link up with Frank Lampard in the NYCFC midfield, and would provide a welcome boost to the franchise after a difficult start to life in MLS.

NYCFC would be able to sign Pirlo under the Designated Player Rule, which was first brought in when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007.

Meanwhile, Pirlo said that his tears following the defeat to Barca were no indication of whether he was leaving the Bianconeri.

Speaking to Italian journalists at Florence station, from where he was joining the rest of the Italy team in Coverciano, he said: "My tears were not goodbye tears.

"They were tears for a defeat in a Champions League Final, as I don't know if I will ever get the chance to play another one. It is normal that there was some disappointment."

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon added: "With Pirlo we talked about many things, but not about his future. His tears are clearly the tears of a man who is upset for having lost an important final."